Bucs Must Move Onward, Rather Than Backward Martin Fennelly, The Tampa Tribune, published 10 December 2007 Who said it's hard to mail something at Christmas? OK, that's way too harsh. The Bucs didn't mail it in. They actually showed up at Reliant Stadium for Sunday's game with the Texans, on buses and everything. Jon Gruden insisted, rather intensely (laser stare, but nice-nice language) that his lads were focused. But in losing 28-14, the Bucs played exactly like a team that had a three-game cushion in a division with four games left. And it's never too late to be troubled by turnovers and missed chances or their backup quarterback winning the big backup throwdown. Is it ever a good thing when someone named Sage picks you apart? Parsley, Rosemary and Thyme would have had a field day, too. Yes, other than offense, defense and special teams, the Bucs were all over it. Enough with backups - and backing up. Jeff Garcia says he's back. "I'll be ready to go." Look, Carolina also lost Sunday, and if New Orleans loses tonight, the Bucs will clinch the NFC South. And they won two of three games using their backup quarterbacks. And, Chucky, if you please: "This team has been working its butt off." But it can't sit on this cushion. It would take a Mets-like collapse for the Bucs to miss the postseason. That's not the point. "The goal is not necessarily just to qualify for the playoffs; it's to win a championship," Gruden said. Bucs defensive tackle Chris Hovan said, "We're 8-5. Let's go out and fix it." The best play the Bucs made Sunday came before the game when Gruden sat Garcia again. It was the safe play, the right one. Garcia said, "... I think considering the situation we were in coming into the game - in a good situation as a team - the most important thing is being healthy and ready for the playoffs." But he can't get back soon enough. Luke McCown appears played out as Wonder Replacement. He has talent and is a stand-up guy. He took the blame for the botched shotgun snap that led to a turnover and Houston touchdown, and would have even if it wasn't. He took the blame for sacks he took instead of getting rid of the ball. And missing wide open Alex Smith on one play, and wide open Joey Galloway for a touchdown and 21-21 on the next. But there was blame to go around. The defense, despite flashes - Greg White, the Sack-Forced Fumble Machine, and Jovan Haye, The Great Recoverer - couldn't stop Sage Rosenfels' dink and dunk to glory. "We've got to get off on third down. Period," Bucs cornerback Ronde Barber said. "Eighteen first downs ... It's ridiculous ... It's losing football for us." And now a Special Teams Time Capsule Update: With Andre Davis' 97-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to begin the second half, the Texans have returned four kickoffs for scores in their six-year history. Ain't nothing. The Bucs are 0-for-32 years - 1,864 kickoffs and counting. What's the big deal about the 0-16 Dolphins, anyway? Another Game, Another Injury. Did we mention Ike Hilliard's injury as he fumbled to set up that Texans' touchdown? Another worry. No harm, no foul if this team bounces back against the Falcons. Does it matter who the Bucs play in the first round, Giants or the Vikings? The Bucs can beat either team. And the Texans can beat the Bucs. Got all that? This team has shown a uncanny knack for putting bad things behind them. Now Garcia's back might be behind them. "I could still feel I was working through some aches," he said. "But coming out today, the aches seemed to be gone, the full range of motion's there. It felt really good. I'm ready to go Monday." That's today. Onward. It beats backward.